Review: Audrey Hobert Delivers Lively Performance at Austin City Limits Festival

Written by Isabella Navarro

Despite rainy weather throughout the weekend, Audrey Hobert manifested the sunshine during her first performance at Austin City Limits Festival on Oct. 4, 2026. 

Hobert played the T-Mobile stage, one of the biggest stages of the festival, where Lorde played the night prior to a massive crowd. At 4:30 p.m., Hobert walked out in a long beige trench coat and stood on a step ladder with Groucho glasses. The beat to “I like to touch people” began, and the crowd cheered in excitement. 

“Drive” was the next track Hobert played as she took off her coat and displayed another short black trench coat and danced around the stage in ballerina flats. The fast-paced song got the crowd moving around even in their muddy shoes. Hobert then explained the story behind “Wet Hair” with enthusiastic sarcasm. Hobert claimed her ex still wanted her even when she “looked like shit.” Ocean waves crashed into the backdrop screen as Hobert and the crowd sang the chorus. 

Hobert followed with tracks off her debut album “Who’s The Clown?” with “Don't go back to his ass”, “Bowling alley,” and "Thirst Trap.” “Let’s keep it rocking and rolling,” Hobert said before performing “Phoebe.” Everyone shouted “Everything's okay 'cause my life is so enticing / In the corner, eating icing” with relatable energy. 

Halfway through the set, the sun peeked through the clouds for the first time that weekend. Some attendees said Hobert was “God” and manifested the somewhat uplifting weather. When the drums of “Chateau” dropped, Hobert said, “Sometimes I feel a little off, but that’s part of life,” before singing the opening lines. 

“Sue me,” Hobert’s most popular song and debut single, began to play. The crowd went wild for the song and waved their arms back and forth, singing “Sue me, I wanna be wanted.” 

“I really feel like I’m a writer, so it’s sometimes very strange, but I sometimes have fun,” Hobert told the audience in reference to her commanding the stage when she was used to only staying behind the scenes. “Just fucking kidding, I was born for this shit,” she laughed before jumping back into her set.

“Silver Jubilee” gained popularity this summer on TikTok. Hobert said, “Let it all go, ok!” before singing the pop ballad. The upbeat and groovy track got everyone dancing in the warm sun while singing “I'ma put my drink up / I'ma tell my sister your secrets.” 

To close the set, Hobert walked out with a mini trampoline to perform “Sue me” for a second time. Hobert suggested that the crowd put their phones down for the song, or not, as she kept her sarcasm up throughout the show. Most of the crowd kept their phones unnoticeable while screaming the lyrics one last time with Hobert.   

Once 5:15 p.m. hit, Hobert left the stage, and so did the sun as dark grey clouds covered the sky. Hobert’s performance proved that ACL is just the beginning of her pop star career, and that her songwriting and stage presence create a lasting impact.